This
Message Forum is to discuss spiritual topics only. Please avoid personal
or assembly matters.
Let us use this facility for our spiritual enrichment and for bringing
glory to our Lord almighty.Webmasters
reserve the right to delete any topic or posting partly or completely
from this forum.

Dear brethren in Christ,Nowadays or in recent days we are or we were in the mood of conventions and "Music Fest". It was a joyful time indeed for evryone. But what invoked me to post this topic is that inspite of such big ministries and so called grand "Music Fests", no visible fruits are to be seen. I am not blaming any body in person neither do I want to. Just for an example, in a single gathering in the days of Peter, 3000 souls were saved. Leave 3000, are 300 at least saved in these 100s of gospel meetings or so called Music Fests in which lakhs of rupees are spent in inviting speakers, singers, preparations (some of us hire even stadii for these purposes!!)?If we ask anybody who has attended these meetings, they respond in a manner as "Valare anugrahikkapetta meeting ayirunnu. Nalla pattum nalla prasangam nalla kootam undayirunnu" Let me ask in what way can these gospel meetings can be a blessing unless few souls are added to the church. I recently met a singer and he told me that conventions nowadays are just like festivals held every year and the great gathering which we see includes only believers (leave out some exceptions). I am concerned only because the Lord's money is wasted. Rather use it in a different way where God can work and many souls may be saved. May the brethren respond to it as required.May God bless us all.

it is good that we should think over spending money for every purpose. Brother, you have to consider each case seperately. In one place it may be fruitful, in some other places it may not be making any profitable progress. Why don't you suggest a better alternative that a church can conduct in a worthy manner?To plan such programs need "alochanakal" that is practical and spiritually guided. May God help you."fellowchristian"

Dear brother fellowchristianI did not mention that whatever money we use, it should only be for fruitful purposes. Rather, when we conduct a gospel meeting, we must ponder over it that is using the same resources what we use for these meetings, can we use in a much more better way where lots of people can hear the Word of God?Today I think most of the unbelievers know well about these meetings and ignore them as they take it as conversion meetings and if any comes there he is coming to listen to the melodious songs. Songs here now play an important role. It is good that we sing few songs before the message but now the congregation is totally crazy after it that their only purpose for attending these meetings seem to listen to this songs. What I feel is, we must reveal to them plainly what we are aiming at. They should not take us as entertainers as we sing out to them beautiful songs. Many say that people are attracted to these places when songs are sung and that to by famous singers. This is not at all biblical doctrine. Never do we see or read in the Bible Jesus saying to his disciples that they must atract people by some means. Never did Paul or Peter adopt any means rather than the plain gospel to attract people for Christ. Now, money spent in these ways, I mean is wasted.Other suggestions are that we can conduct outreach works or house visits, hospital visits where we can find people thirst for the truth.This is what all I meantThank you brother for responding to my topic and I invite many to discuss on the sameRakesh Kumar

We all know the parable of the 'talets'. One servant traded his 'talent' visiting houses and conducting corner meetings. the other one saw none of the youths were in any of their homes and they might come listening to gospel if he arrange a gospel music programs.The third one thought the other two are wasting their talents. he has to should 'do' and make rsults. Otherwise, one day Lord might ask him, "You could have invited some preachers and singers and make an announcement to come and listen, gospel is being preached here. I would have collected the 'interested' souls at least"."Fellowchristian"

Dear "fellowchristian"I think you have read the Great commission at least. It says go and make disciples, not "interested souls". I mean plain and straightforward gospel not entertainment. If we go and spread the gospel to them that is enough as we cannot compel anybody. We are not the mediators to bring the congregation. Even preachers and singers have the role of inviting people to the congregation.Rakesh Kumar

We cannot do a cost benefit analysis for gospel work as the business world does for their endeavors.

Secondly, How does one measure the success of a gospel campaign? I submit to you that it's not in the number of souls saved, because we will never know the results of a campaign until we reach glory. Who knows if a seed sown now will be germinating for a month, year or even years?

Finally, the organizers and the participants have to do the analysis of why they participate: is it for personal glory, for the "rush" of performing music? Or is it for God's glory? I cannot make this evaluation, because I am not the musician or organizer. my point is this: we should be careful not to be overly critical. Instead, let's join with these groups in prayer, and volunteer our services to help follow up with people who may have filled out contact cards (or whatever method they use).

Once our mission is to fulfill the duty bestowed upon us through the "Great Commission", then our target is reaching to many unsaved souls and winning them unto God.We have many means to reach them. To reach, the 'Samaritans' Jesus went to Samaria.TV programs are more expensive, but if none of the churches or Christian organizations take an interest in that field, we would be denying to utilize the means that has been provided by our Lord through scientific achievements of this modern world, for His mission.When we have been provided with resources, we should not ‘bury’ it in the earth.Why don’t you make use of talented singers to reach more of the unsaved souls and make them attentive to hear gospel preached by blessed preachers.Spurgeon was very much critical in the matter of excessive use of music and instruments in Christian congregations. But here is a statement of Spurgeon on Moody-Sankey meetings in England,

“We rejoice to mention that during the last few months we have met with more converts from Messrs. Moody and Sankey’s meetings than in all the time before”.

(Continued from prev window)Brother, men with wisdom should guide churches to take right decisions, correcting felloe believers, but not by condemning them.Please suggest, how we can conduct gospel meetings attracting more of our unsaved neighbours and friends. Let us share our burdon. Be partakers of the yoke to walk along in the field of evagelisation. All of us cannot be tongues, all of us need not be legs or hands. Each organ has its own purpose and objectives. Songs are to be sung for His Glory. The loveliness of music on the mind of human being has its merit and it is God’s wisdom for it to be so

But we must not humiliate the Glory of our God in any manner, even in the way we sing hymns or songs..

When Mary of Bethany poured the perfume on Jesus' feet, many people frowned at her. Have you ever thought, why Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."He also added that “she has done a beautiful thing to me”.May be because, he knew that there would be criticism in the extravaganza of gospel preaching.

Dear brother "fellowchristian"I never meant that a hymn or a praise song was a wrong method to introduce the gospel. It is a very useful method but what I meant is by doing all this we are just beating about the bush. What I mean is not cost benefit analysis but analysis of waste of money when it is not needed. Moreover I feel it as a compulsion in the ministry of these organizers to conduct a gospel meeting in a grand manner with also a competitive spirit, which I think is wrong. I am not personally pointing anyone in this regard and as you have mentioned in the previous posting, I am ready to join my hands in prayer for these ministries. I greatly appreciate the team work by YMEF in this case. In most of the cases we try to be aloof of persecution and want to be confined only in the region of prayer. Just consider the untouched fields of North India. Why do we yearly conduct meetings spreading the same thing when many parts are there where this good news is not reached. Brother it is not good that you have pointed me overly critical.I am writing this because these organizers' eyes are confined to the regions of Kerala and I have a burden for N. India where I live.Rakesh Kumar

"Please suggest, how we can conduct gospel meetings attracting more of our unsaved neighbours and friends. "

Attracting neighbors and friends for meetings will be easier when we ourselves live lives like REAL christians as expected from the Bible. Then they will come to us and it will be easier for them to accept our invitations.

what will make them notice us as REAL christians without even saying a word?

1) when we live simple, humble and meek lives.2) do not do break laws that is part of the norm in our society eg: encroachment, disobey traffic lights and rules, reject dowry etc3) do not squabble or worry about things of this world in such a way we give the impression that these are the most primary things in our lives4) Giving thanks in all things as the apostle instructs us.5) Show love and fellowship with our nieghbors6) sometimes we get invited for programs on sundays or when we have church fellowship or other spiritual matters. Let us tell them in a kind manner that we cannot come as we have our priorities towards the assembly and things of God. I have seen that they ask me more about my faith when I respond in this manner and respect me for it. They stop certain behaviours in front of me also.

There are still more. What I wanted to convey was that it first starts with us individual believers. I have seen that when they see us being different from general society, they get curious and enquire. We can then tell them our motivation and reason and hope for our faith.

Let us remember, sometimes the only Bible nonbelievers read are our lives.

Instead, if they see us fighting amongst ourselves, or see us easily break laws and traffic rules without regret, verbally abuse others, giving no respect to others of different religions and beliefs, show no charity etc and then one fine day invite them for a gospel meeting to "know" christ and "know" christianity, what do you think will be the impression they will build in thier minds at the time?

Dear Brethren,It is a blessing to have such a site online to share our feelings,convictions ,thoughts and experiences we, as believers, undergo in our daily life.Just a thought on the current topic.I personally feel that the scene has changed quite radically since our forefathers came to Christ.The total submission to Lord seems to be missing in the brethren (i include myself too). Reasons are too many to be listed down. But yes i feel nowadays ALL meetings, music fests etc are organized as a public display of power, wealth and being one-up.The main pillar of our existence, PRAYER, is missing nowadays. Thats the reason why though number of meetings and music fests have increased , number of souls saved remain pathetically low, of course , we dont know GOD'S ways in it.

Let us organise more and more of PRAYER MEETINGS instead of such music fests and meetings.

Dear Bro. Daniel I appreciate your correct insight into the matter which I thought I missed. We should Have more prayer meetings than all these exhibitions of wealth and power.May God help us to walk in His wayRakesh kumar

Dear Bro.Rakesh,It is always alluring for the youth amidst us (i am on the better side of 30 myself)to mimic or imitate the way things get organised,show-cased and held amongst the heathen.Many a times we seem to overlook the matter that they are empty pots and other than that meets the eye everything is pure vaccum; whereas on the other side WE as the children of the Living God are supposed to be imitating our Creator , who is full of SUBSTANCE......alas! we are , let me say it , miserably failing at it. As each day goes by i feel we are inching away from our Loving and all compassionate God.I sincerely pray for some DIVINE revival to happen amidst our youth. We are a powerful group because WE HAVE THE SOURCE OF POWER WITH US!Let us stand up and be counted for the CAUSE we are assigned on earth.....

Dear brother Rakesh,I think we miss the point from the core of your question.You asked how benificial is yearly gospel meetings with music fest.It is well and good if the local church decides to conduct corner meetings or house visits. It is good to send some brethren to join YMEF team in remote villages of India.But why should we refrain from an annual gospel meeting which is the only occassion that bring together all the youngsters of the assembly join hands? Why should we give a holiday to the gospel proclamation to the local town where we are the 'candle sticks' to shine?We have to think together, how we can make the gospel meetings more effective. Sure, we should be on knees for the gospel meetings. The hymns and musics also should attract more unbelievers to come and attend the meeting.We must not be satisfied with a mere annual gospel meeting of our church in the town.It should be only one of the programs. The purpose of the meeting should not be to 'show' the pomp , but it can be as attractive as can be to catch more of the unbelieving community to come and hear the gospel.Fishing has to be done the way fishes are attracted. Sure we have to put the net obeying 'to His word'.If the believers are not prepared to come together to kneel down and pray fervently for the blessings from above, it is better to postpone the 'convention' and wait till we hear from our Lord "launch out the net".In Christian love,'Fellowchristian'

Dear brother fellowchristianI truly agree to what all you have said. We must attract people to make them hear the gospel. My concern is that they are now (not all of them as I've been writing to you since the beginning) totally IN COMPETITIVE SPIRIT. These things happen in major conventions. Let me be open; Kumbanad convention is one of the premier gatherings.Now everything is grand, but the results are not evident. I am search of this cause. Does it truly lie merely because of lack of prayer? My question to you my dear brother is that why so many youngsters, who are talented, only confined to the regions of gospel meetings? WHy don't they join some other gospel work? Why don't we inspire them to stay in India and serve their own country to gain people for the Lord? Once educated, youth in our midst, look out for a chance in abroad. Why don't they join with us? Offering monetary support is not all done with. Let it be clear to you that I am not against the gospel meetings but I am sad that they do not work out as anticipated.Yours In ChristRakesh Kumar

I am a new-comer to this forum. I am glad to note the concerns expressed here.

Rakesh made a good observation and several good responses came. The apostolic days were mentioned. Why don't we have the same results as they had as we are preaching the same gospel?

fellowchristian said, "If the believers are not prepared to come together to kneel down and pray fervently for the blessings from above, it is better to postpone the 'convention' and wait till we hear from our Lord 'launch out the net'"Earlier also this point was made. I think that is the crux of the matter. Rakesh again asked, . "Does it truly lie merely because of lack of prayer?"

Yes, indeed. I think we are yet to learn the role of prayer in Christian ministry. In Acts 13:2 says, "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted..." Dear brethren, ministry to the Lord is nothing but waiting in His presence. All other ministries must emerge from this. We make a mistake of praying for the ministry, while we forget that prayer is the ministry to the Lord and all other ministries are ministering to the people around us.

As youth in the assembly, let us learn the place of prayer in the ministry and let us devote ourselves to prayer (Rom.12:12; Col.4:2) and every thing else will fall in its right place.

Remember that letter kills and it is the spirit that gives life. Preachers and singers without hardened knees only will help hardening the hearts of their hearers. May the Lord give us a new set of preachers and singers who will kneel and pray before they minister. Let us also pray with them are for them till heaven will come down with blessings untold(Is.64:1,2,4). God bless.

Dear Saint1My question is also the same. Are these done with faithfulness or competitive spirit. Nowadays our youth is also drifted to the world of music. Why, if we are faithful god will surely give us the result.Rakesh Kumar

I agree with Rakesh to some extend... My personal opinion would be to stop the annual conventions in Kerala - especially the one called Kumbanad Convention! To the best of my knowledge almost everyone in Kumbanadu have heard the Gospel.

When we turn the venue to preach gospel into a place to fight and debate controversies,how can God bring some strangers in midst of that group of saints fighting each other?We have to turn our conventions as a venue where youngsters are brought to visions of God Almighty sitting upon the throne high and lifted up and they hear the chanting of the saints in great reverence to the King of Kings.Then we would hear from their mouths, "I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!" and some of them lifting up their hands telling, "Here am I! Send me." It high time to blame one another, let us join hands to encourage our fellow believer, especially the youngster sitting next to us.We don't have to expect God calling everybody to be a Paul or Peter to go out as pioneer warriors to the war front. He surely wants some Aquilas and Philemons and Onesimoses also for different services.Why not join us together to pray for Kumbanadu so that the next convention may be a fruitful one for His Glory?In Christian love, fellowchristian

Dear fellowchristianI truly agree to you that we must join hands with hands to make these meetings succesful. But have you ever considered the case that nowadays the audience comprises mostly of believers rather than non-believers. Who is responsible for this? Either they had enough of these gathrings or there is lack of faithfulness in these ministries.God help usRakesh Kumar

This year I was a live witness of the Pathanamthitta convention. To my surprise, rather I was true to my comment, ie, to see an unbeliever among the congregation was a rare thing for me. Knowing this fact in mind, even the preachers prepare the message almost totally for the believers. I suggest that these meetings be not titled "Suvishesha yogangal". Think and work on it dear brethren.

One crucial point most of us are missing is that, the souls are guided and saved, by the Holy Spirit. It doesn't make any sense in committing huge expenses to make meetings expensive and attractive. People who "believe" through the guidance of these attractions, are guaranteed to leave, once the beauty of meetings becomes a repeated, boring and useless crap.

More than the investments on making funny attractions for meetings, we must make more investment in spending our time in prayer. We must pray hard so that the Holy Spirit guide those people who attend the meeting towards salvation.

Such a saving will prove to be the basement of the house built on the rocks, stable and powerful enough, to resist the storms of this world, awaiting to destroy the newly born believer.